ANOTHER Tory councillor could be on the brink of suspension, after a hearing at Southport Town Hall tomorrow night.

The standards sub-committee will examine an independent report by Public Service Investigations that finds Cllr Martyn Barber guilty of two breaches of the ministerial Code of Conduct. A heated council meeting last March over the proposed retention of Anthony Gormley’s ‘Iron Men’ statues on Crosby beach, led to the Manor ward councillor intimidating Liberal Democrat, Cllr Peter Hough.

He is alleged to have become aggressive, jabbed a finger at Cllr Hough, and threatened: “You think you’ve got away with it but I’m going to get you for this. You wait and see – you’re going to pay for this.”

Sefton’s standards committee will now decide what action to take against Cllr Barber, potential sanctions range from censuring to a possible suspension.

Cllr Hough was said to be so shaken by the incident that he remained in Bootle Town Hall for a further 20 minutes, as to avoid any further confrontation.

Cllr Barber was found by the PSI report to have breached paragraphs 2 and 4 of the Sefton MBC Code, that members must treat others with respect, and that members must not conduct themselves in a manner which could bring his office or authority into disrepute.